Control apparatus



3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR //H/w Cano/ee.

ATTORNEY A. H. CANDEE CONTROL APPARATUS Fil'ed Aug. 5.

Nov, 11, 1924.V

WITNESSES:

Nov, ll, 1924.

1,515,143 A. H. CANDEE coNTRL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:

A oRNY Nov, ll, 1924.

A. H. CANDEE CONTROLAPPARATUS Filed Aug. s', 1919 S5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR nd/ew Handee.

2ATTRNEY Patented Nov. 11, 19,24.

[UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlCE.

ANDREW H.' OANDEE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF FENNSYLVANIA.

CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application led August 5, 1919. Serial No. 815,445.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ANDREW H. CANDEE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. y

My invention relates to control apparatus, and it has special relation to unit switches or contactor's of the electro-pneumatic type.

One object `of my invention is to provide a switching device of the above indicated character which shall be relatively compact in construction and light in weight, and which shall embody a relatively small number of parts.

More specically stated, it is the object of my invention to provide a novel actuating and supporting mechanism for the movable contact member, whereby a direct pivotal connection thereof to the reciprocatory power element, such as the piston member, is provided and a. combined rolling and wiping contact between the movable and the stationary contact tips is effected.

Another object of my invention is to pro- Vide an integral projection of the movable contact member to supplement the action of the customary arcing horn and to prevent Hare-back toward the grounded portion of the switching device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel means for supporting the magnetic blow-out coil, including the use of the pole-pieces for the double function of providing the desired magnetic circuit and Y 'also serving to support the blow-'out coil.

Other objects of my invention, directed toward compactness of structure and lightness of weight, will become evident` from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in vertical section, of a switching device constructed in accordance with my present invention; Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation thereof; Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are detail views of aportion of my switchingdevice, Fig. 3 being a sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 4; Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 are detail views of another member of my switching device, Fig. 8 being a sec- 7, an arc-chute apparatus 8, a pneumatic` actuating mechanism 49 and an electricallycontrolled valve 10 for governing the actuating mechanism 9. The upper contact support 2 is rigidly secured to the upper part of the base 1 by means oa plurality of bolts l5, and is ypierced by a transversely extended bolt 16 for securing one terminal of the blow-out coil device 7 to the metallic support 2.

The insulating disk 3 issecured to an intermediate part of the base 1 through the agency of a suitable bolt 17, which is adapted to support one of the external wire-receiving terminals for the switching device, as hereinafter described in detail. The actuating-mechanism support 4 is secured to the lower part of the base 1 by means of a plurality of bolts 18, whereby a single casting including both the pneumatic cylinder and the controlling valve there-for, is properly positioned.

The stationary contact member 5 comprises a bent tip 19 of a familiar form, the shorter arm of which is secured within a rectangular recess in the upper port 2 bymeans of a bolt 20, which also serves tomaintain in position a:L curved arcing horn 21 of a well-known type.

The movable contact mechanism 6 comprises a similar contact tip 22 'that is secured to a supporting member 23 (shown also in Fig. 3 andFig. 4) by means of a bolt 24, which also serves to position the lower arcing horn 25. A pivot or pin 26 extends transversely through a portion of the support 23 remote from the contact tip 22, this pin 26 being supported in a stationary bracket or standard 27 (shown also in Figs. 5, 6 and 7), which is rigidly ascontact supsociated with'the piston' ofthe operatingmechanism 9, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The lower contact support 23, in addition 'to being provided with an opening 24a for receiving the bolt 24 and for also receiving oneend of acoil spring 43, as subsequently set forth in detail, is provided with an integral extension or bent tipi 28- which eX-V tends. `substantially parallel to` the contact ing surface of the movable contact tip 22, for the purpose of preventing Hare-backs of arcs tothe lower portions of theA switch,

. rality of'parallel-extending arms 34 and 35 these arcs beinggormed by the separation of the stationary and the movable contact tips 19 and 22,.v respectively. Adepending lug 29upon thev face'of the support 23 near.

vthe base 1, isyemployed for locking-Withthe'y contact bracket y27` for a purpose to be set forth.v Y-

. i, Y The'V contact bracket 27 comprises a plu- (se Fig-6) through .which the pin 26 passes j and a web 36 extending "between these arms for a certain distance, the webbeing omitted :from the uppermost portion'of the bracket to permit the contact support "23 to be also the bracket 27v is. rigidly assembled with the reciprocatory power ,element or piston stem ofthe actuating mechanism 9.

A wing orearf 40 in the'plane of the bracket base extends transversely to the sup-A porting arms 34 and 35, .and .is .provided with a bolt-receiving opening 41, whereby a wire-receiving terminal 47-may be mechanically attached to the bracket through the agency of a bolt'42. This terminal 47 is velectrically secured yto' a braided cable or shunt 46 which first passes beneath the terminal 47, and then extends upwardly to a second terminal 48, which is bolted to a main terminal 44 of Athe switching device, by means of the bolt 17 and suitable locking nuts 45. l Y

The contact bracket 27 is secured to an insulating block 32 by meanslof bolts 33v extending through the openings 38 and 39..

.A plug 49 is inserted in the opening 37 in the web 36 of' thecontact bracket 27, and the spring 43 has its ends respectively enclosing the plug 49 and located within the recess 24a ofthe contact support 23. lt should bc noted that the upper edge of the web 36 engages the depending lug 29 of the support 23 to restrict the biasing action of the spring. 43 on themovable contact tip 22.

The blow-out coilV device 7 comprises a 'suitable coil 50, preferably of vstrap conductor, having a plurality vof convolutions wound around a sultable 'core l member v51.,

one end-connector or .terminal 52 of the coil 50 extending from the inner convolution thereof and comprising an endportion of the strap conductor which is bolted to the vupper Contact support 2 by means ofthe bolt 16. The other end-connector of .the-

blow-out coil 'extends toward the rontof theswitching device from'the outer convolution of the coil and a suitable terminal 53 for the switching device, asa whole', is bolted to such end-connector.

The path ofcurrent througli'the ing device; when closed, :may thus. betraced from the terminal 53 through the `coxlvoe lutions of the blowout coil 50 and .connector .52, upper contactsupport 2, stationay;'con'-.l

tact tip 19, movable contactf'tip 22,"l`owe`r contact support 423, contact.` bracket 27',` 'ter' minal 47, vshunt 46'and terminalf431to the i other main terminal 44.

It should be noted that the shunt 46 visnot i attached to the-movable contact tip 2 2, asis customary*4 practice in the priorart.,v Cnsequently, during the closing operationfof the` switch, from thejmoment the'. contact-tips touch until' the :switchvfis "fullyy"closed; current .is carried from the, cari of the movable contact bracket 127 through. the pivot 26 and the bracket arms 34 and 35. VWhen 'the .switchl is closed, however,- `the. current is carried directly throughthe. abutting contact-surfaces Y and the bracket 27. 1

The magnetic circuit inducing' liiepal;

pieces for the switching device is alsolsh'own 'of thesupp'ort'23 i aoc i in Fig,` 1 and Fig. 2; `A pair of `faushaped4 members 54 and 54n of inag'etizable majte-A rial are secured to the vertical aCesQ .the

arc-chute device 8, -and .a relatively,`A vs ride V'strap 'member or yoke 55 ijs riveted'lto thes pole piece 54 on the same side of thel switch? ing device as. the-main terminal .44. 'Above its riveted end, the strap'55I is' provided v.with A` g an oiiset bend 55, wl'1ileacross'-theV top of the switching device'the yoke-comprises a .horizontal portion 56 which .terminates in a downwardly-extending arm 57 for vsupporting near its lower end a portion'58 'of the core member 51 for the blow-out coil 50. A small supporting yoke-59 is provided-- with` a plurality of' openings 60 and 61 through which extend wing vnuts 62` and 63 for supporting the different parts of the arc-chute device 8. The yoke 59 is, `in turn, secured to the upper horizontal vportion 56 of the strap 55 by means of a plurality of rivets 64. For the purpose of supporting the entire pole-piece structure near-the up'- per portion thereof, a bent strap 65 is like wise riveted tothe horizontal section 56, and is attached to the base 1 by means of a horizontally-extending bolt 66. A further supportfor the illustrated pole-piece structure is provided by a bent strap 67, which `or collars 74, which is riveted to the main str a at an intermediateupoint of the vertical wall 57, the

strap 67 being suitably bolted to the base 1.

The core 51 extends through the blow-out coil 50 and is enclosed on the other. side of the coil by a pluralit of suitable washers ll the space between the blow-out coil and the fan-shaped pole piece 54a that is located contigubus to a vertical wall 71 of the arc-chute 8. A 'sheet 76 of suitable insulating material is preferably located between the washers 74 to prevent the arc formed by the separation of the contact members from spreading to the magnetic blow-out coil.

The arc-chute device 8 comprises a plurality of thin vertical walls 68 and 69 which bear outwardly against the fan-shaped polepieces 54 and 54a, togetherwith a lower spacing member or bridge 71 and two upper spacing members 72 and 77. The arc-chute `fits within the pole-pieces and encloses the contact tips 19 and 22, as indicated by the contour of the wall 69 in Fig. 1. The major portion of the arc-chute device l8 is supported by means of the wing-nut 62 that extends through the spacing member77 of the arcchute.

The spacing members 71 and 77 are secured to the vertical wallsl 68 and 69 by means of suitable screws 78 and 79, respectively, while the spacing member 72 may be entirely detached from the vertical walls. The member 72 has fits lower end fitting within a notch 73 of the upper contact support 2, and the other end of the member 72 is detachably secured to the vertical walls 68 and 69 and to the supporting yoke 59 by meansl of the wing-nut 63. In this way, by loosening the wing-nuts 62 and 63 and withdrawing the associated screws, the arc-chute device 8, with the exception of the spacing member 72, may be removed asa unit.

The actuating mechanism 9 com rlses a yoke member 80 which is shown in etail in Figs. 7, 9 and 10. A sheet of insulating material 81 is located between the' yoke 80 and the insulating block 32 as additional protection. v

A piston stem82 is screwed into the base 83 of the yoke 80, and a plurality of bolts 85 serve to secure the insulating block 32 to the yoke 80. Consequently, the rigidly assembled piston member includes the piston stem 82, the yoke 80, insulating block 32 and contact bracket 27, all of which act as a single unit.

The 4yoke 80 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 84,-having a rectanvular slot 84@l for engaging a correspondinglay shaped lug on the side of the actuating cylinder casing, whereby the piston rod may be guided in addition to the guidance thereof by the internal walls of the cylinder proper; and, furthermore, whereby 1an nutand washer device 89. A coil spring i encloses the piston stem 82 within the cylinder 87 to bias the piston 88 towards the illustrated lower position and thus also bias the movable contact tip 22 towards the illustrat- .f ed open position.

A suitable air passage 91 effects communication between the cylinder 87 and an electromagnetically-controlled valve 92 which is of familiar construction and, consequently, need not be described in detail here. In general, the valve plugs are secured to a movable core 93 which is Surrounded by a coil 94, the` core 93 being attached to an ar-` mature 95, while a suitable cap 96 covers the top end of the'device and serves to secure it to the cylinder casting.

An insulating block 97 is secured to the yoke arm 84 by means of the bolt holes 86 and carries a contact strip or segment 97'a which is adapted to be engaged by a plurality of stationary control fingers 98 when the Switch occu 'ies its closed position, wherein the contact lock 97 is raised along with the piston and the main movable contact tip. The control fingers 98 are secured to an i11- sulating block 99 which isbolted to the cylinder casting 87. A sheet 100 of insulating material is inclined downwardly from the lower inside corner 'of the contact block 99 to serve' as -further insulation of the terminals 101 for the control fingers 98.

The yoperation of kmy switching device from the illustrated open position to the closed position may be set forth as follows. Upon energization of the actuating coil 94 for the valve 92, the valve is opened to admit fiuid pressure from anysuitable source (not shown) to the operating cylinder 87 beneath the piston 88. -The piston is thus raised to its uppermost' osition, carrying the rigidly connected mem ers 80, 81, 32 and 27 therewith. Thus, the reciprocatory power element extending from the piston nut 89 to the contact bracket 27, inclusive, acts as a unit by reason of the rigid assembly of the parts named.

The upward movement of the contact bracket 27 likewise raises the contact support 23 and the movable Contact tip 22 until the initiabcontacting between the tips 22 and 19 is effected. The coil spring 43, acting between the Ycontact support 23 and the contact bracket 27, is then gradually compressed as the support `23'pivots around the pin 26. In this way, a combined rolling and wiping contact between the tips 19 and 22 is secured as-the piston 88 rises to its uppermost position accompanied -by the gradual compression of the coil spring 43. p

v Duringv the opening* movement of 'y the switch caused bythe de-energization of the actuating coil 94, the reverse movements occur, as will be understood, and the arc formed by the separation of the contact tips follows the arcing horns 2l and 25 and is dissipated in the' arc-chute 8.

I do not lwish to berestricted to the specific structural vdetails or arrangement of.

. partsherein set forth, as various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I-desir'e, therefore, thatonly'such limitations 'shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

' I claim as my invention:

1. Inia switching device, the combination with aieciprocatory power element, of an insulating memberv rigidly secured to one end thereof, a bracket member rigidly' secured tol said insulating member, and a Contact member pivot'ally mounted on and mechanically interlocking with said bracket member.

2. In a switching device, thel combination with a reciprocat'ory power element, of an insulating Amember rigidly secured to' one -end.-thereof, a bracket member rigidly Vsecured to said insulating member and having a plurality ofy parallel-extending arms, a lContact member pivotally niounted between said` arms, and resilient means-'interposed between said bracket member and said contact member.

3. In a switching device, the .combination with a reciprocatory power element, of an insulating-'member 'rigidly secured to'one end thereof, a bracket member -rigidly secured to said insulating member, said bracket member having'a pair of parallel-extending arms and a web 'extending between them lfor a certain `distance, a .contact member pivotally mounted 'between said arms above said web, a spring interposed between' said bracket member and -S21-id contact member,

`and a lug on said contact member co-operating with said web said spring.

to restrict the action of 4. In a switching device, the combination with a reciprocatory powerelement, of an insulating member rigidly securedfpto one end thereo-f,a bracketmember .rigidly secured to said insulating member, -a contact member pivotally mounted on said bracketl inembegg and a conductor-holding terminal member directly secured to said 'bracket member. v

5. In a switching device, the combination with a reciprocatory power element, of an insulating member rigidly secureda to ,one end thereof, a vbracket member rigidly se-v cured to said insulating memben'said bracket member having a pair of parallel-extending arms, a web extending between vthem for a certain distance and an ear extending transversely to said arms, 'a contact member pivotally mounted between said arms above said web, a spring interposed between said said contactl mem-ber.

7. In aswitching device,` the 'combination with av reciprocatory power element, of an insulating member rigidly secured to one end thereof, a bracket member', rigidly secured to said insulating member, a contact'memvber including a removable .tip pivotally mounted on said bracket member and having an integral projection located belowandA substantially parallel tothe contacting surface, and an arc horn attached directly to -s'aid tip.

- 8. In a switching device, the combination with a base, of a plurality of co-operating contact members, a blowout coil therefor,

a. magnetic circuit for said coil including .a yoke extending across the top of the switching device, an are chutefor said con# tact members, means fordetacliably securing said arc-chute to the top portion of said V yoke, and means for attaching said yoke to said base. Y

9. In a switching device,` the combination with a vertically-extending base, of a plurality of co-operating contact members', ,a blowout coil land. an arc-chute therefor, ta

vmagnetic circuit for said coil including polepieces extending along the sides of said arc' chute, a core. for said coil, a yoke member extending upwardly from one pole-piece, across the top of the switching device and downwardly to said core,'means for securing said arc-chute to the top portion of said yoke, and means for attaching said yoke to said vertically extending base.' v

` i0. In a switching device, the 'combination with a reciprocatory power member including a conducting bracket member'ka contact member pivotally mounted on saidbracket member, means for normally separating con-` 7 fronting surfaces of the bracket and the contact members, said surfaces directly abutting under closed conditions of the switching device to carry current.

11. In a switching device, the combination with a reciprocatory power element, of an insulating member rigidly secured to one end thereof, a bracket member rigidly secured to said insulating member and having current is carried from said conductor through the pivotal connection, While under 10 closed conditions of the device, said surfaces directly abut to carry current.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of July,

, ANDREW H. CANDEE. 

